Two Valley players make Softball Canada’s 2017 men’s national Team athlete pool

Justin Schofield of White Rock may get the chance to play for Team Canada next year in softball.

Tyler Whynot, originally from Newport Corner but now living in Kentville, may get the chance to play for Team Canada in softball in 2017.

KINGS COUNTY - Softball Canada announced the list of 40 athletes who have been named to the 2017 men’s national team athlete pool – and two of these players hail from the Annapolis Valley.

This team is preparing for the 2017 World Baseball Softball Confederation Men’s World Softball Championship in Whitehorse, YT, where Canada will be defending its world title.

Tyler Whynot, originally from Newport Corner but now living in Kentville, and Justin Schofield of White Rock have both been selected for the athlete pool.

Whynot, a catcher/outfield player, said he is honoured to have been selected as one of the top 40 players in the country as it shows his hard work is paying off.

“It means you have the opportunity to represent your country and have Canada across your chest,” says Whynot.

Whynot grew up playing minor ball in St. Croix and now plays with the White Rock Rockies in the Shooter's Fastpitch League when he’s not away with his travel team. The Rockies are based out of St. Croix and features mostly players from the Valley.

Schofield, a pitcher, also grew up playing fast pitch in St. Croix.

“My dad would drive me 35 minutes to practices (from White Rock), and the closest games that weren't in St. Croix were in Shubenacadie and Lantz, which were an hour away, or to Guysbrough or Musquodoboit, which were much further,” Schofield said.

He says this was a huge commitment to the sport, especially at such a young age.

This summer, Schofield pitched at the Canadian national championships in St. John's, NL and played for the Toronto Gators in the International softball congress circuit. The Gators won the ISC World Tournament, which he says is the best club team championship in the world.

Like Whynot, Schofield also plays for the White Rock Rockies, and manages the team as well..

“By being named to this athlete pool,” says Schofield, “I increase my chances of being able to represent my country, and contribute to defending our championship.”

Schofield says his goal in this sport has been to play for team Canada and win an International Softball Federation world championship. Schofield says being named to this athlete pool is a step in the road to achieve that goal.

It is expected that final selections will be made later in the spring or early summer.

This team is preparing for the 2017 World Baseball Softball Confederation Men’s World Softball Championship in Whitehorse, YT, where Canada will be defending its world title.

Tyler Whynot, originally from Newport Corner but now living in Kentville, and Justin Schofield of White Rock have both been selected for the athlete pool.

Whynot, a catcher/outfield player, said he is honoured to have been selected as one of the top 40 players in the country as it shows his hard work is paying off.

“It means you have the opportunity to represent your country and have Canada across your chest,” says Whynot.

Whynot grew up playing minor ball in St. Croix and now plays with the White Rock Rockies in the Shooter's Fastpitch League when he’s not away with his travel team. The Rockies are based out of St. Croix and features mostly players from the Valley.

Schofield, a pitcher, also grew up playing fast pitch in St. Croix.

“My dad would drive me 35 minutes to practices (from White Rock), and the closest games that weren't in St. Croix were in Shubenacadie and Lantz, which were an hour away, or to Guysbrough or Musquodoboit, which were much further,” Schofield said.

He says this was a huge commitment to the sport, especially at such a young age.

This summer, Schofield pitched at the Canadian national championships in St. John's, NL and played for the Toronto Gators in the International softball congress circuit. The Gators won the ISC World Tournament, which he says is the best club team championship in the world.

Like Whynot, Schofield also plays for the White Rock Rockies, and manages the team as well..

“By being named to this athlete pool,” says Schofield, “I increase my chances of being able to represent my country, and contribute to defending our championship.”

Schofield says his goal in this sport has been to play for team Canada and win an International Softball Federation world championship. Schofield says being named to this athlete pool is a step in the road to achieve that goal.

It is expected that final selections will be made later in the spring or early summer.